Second oil spill from MV Ultra Galaxy vessel confirmed near Lamberts Bay
SANCOB urges public to report oiled seabirds caused by further spills from the ship grounded in the July storms.
FILE: Crew members were forced to abandon cargo vessel MV Ultra Galaxy. Picture: @safety4sea/X
The MV Ultra Galaxy cargo vessel ran aground on 9 July 2024 during the severe storms off the West Coast.
The continued wintry storms have caused further damage to the ship causing a second oil spill near Lamberts Bay.
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The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCOB) set up a wildlife stabilisation facility nearby in July to mitigate the impact on the wildlife.
They are urging the public to report any sitings of oiled seabirds to SANCCOB Cape Town on 021 557 6155 or 078 638 3731.
They also request that the public avoid handling birds that appear to be affected.
The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA), CapeNature, and SANCCOB are working together to coordinate response efforts and minimise the environmental impacts.
SAMSA reports that more than 200 people have been drawn in for clean-up efforts.
They are requesting that all sightings of oil or debris along the West Coast be reported, and they advise against attempting to salvage debris yourself. Proper disposal is essential to minimising environmental harm.